A collapsed water jar covered in iron glaze and enclosed in an ancient wooden box heavily annotated inside the lid and named Ho-gyoku by the Head priest of Bukkoji Temple in Kyoto. There is a red lacquered Ka-o signature used by the elite on the side of the vessel. It is 32 x 23 x 27.5 cm (11-1/2 x 9 x 11 inches) and is in fine condition. The box lid claims it was the property of or named by the head of Bukkoji Temple in downtown Kyoto.
In 1212, following his expulsion to Echigo, the True-land Buddhist prophet Shinran Shonin returned to Kyoto and began to develop the teaching of Shin Buddhism at a hermitage in Yamashina (eastern part of Kyoto). This hermitage was the origin of the present-day Bukkoji Temple. It was named Koryu Shoboji Temple. Genran, the 8th Abbot, who succeeded, passed away in the 13th year of his reign. His wife, Ryomyo, was appointed the 9th Abbot. In an era more than 600 years ago, when women were severely discriminated against, a woman abbot was unheard of. But in establishing Bukkoji: "Amida's Primal Vow does not discriminate between the young and old, good and evil; true faith alone is essential." In 1586, under orders from the Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Bukkoji was moved from Shirutani to the present location.
